Christeyns launches sustainable water technology in partnership with Veride

6 October 2021

In a joint venure with engineering company Veride, hygiene chemical specialist Christeyns launches HydRO, a new technology to help professional laundries reduce fresh water consumption.

With growing awareness and responsibility around water use and water quality and stricter effluent regulations coming into force in several European countries, water and wastewater management practices are of the upmost importance in the commerical laundry sector.  HydRO technology is expected to play a vital role in decreasing the environmental impact of industrial washing and contribute in lower water-related costs for customers.

Typically four to ten litres of water are used per kg linen in an industrial laundry setting, HydRO can reduce fresh water consumption by at least 80%. In combination with effective rainwater collection, the technology enables the reduction of fresh water consumption to only 0.5 litre per kg of linen.

“Empowering our customers to massively reduce their water consumption and effluent bills, to save energy and reduce their CO2 impact significantly, that’s what this partnership with Veride is all about,” comments Alain Bostoen, CEO Christeyns.

The joint venture offers a modular system for water recovery, treatment and recycling, collecting polluted streams of wastewater from the washhouse to purify and reuse it. In short, a closed-loop water supply reclaiming at least 80% of the process water and transforming it into fresh water with all substances such as micro-plastics, heavy metals and bacteria filtered out.

“As water recycling presents a huge opportunity for the laundry industry, we need to redefine water management for sustainable growth.  We look forward to offering our customers this new technology which will have a positive impact across all aspects of their business,” adds Christeyns UK Engineering Manager Peter Jackson.

This water-saving system is a plug-and-play solution delivered in container units customised to target wastewater quantity. The HydRO technology makes all additional treatment such as iron removal, softening, reverse osmosis and wastewater treatment obsolete. In addition, a heat-exchanger is no longer required as the reclaimed water has a temperature of 40°C.

HydRO will be the latest addition to Christeyns’ Engineering portfolio, driving innovation in the laundry arena across the UK and Ireland. Veride and Christeyns co-own the brand, each having a 50% stake. The HydRO technology has already been implemented in over 10 industrial laundries in the BeNeLux with great success and will now be available in the UK.

For further information visit:

www.christeyns.com/hydro

TSA warns of ‘alarming’ energy price rises for commercial laundries

Price increases could hit hospitality, healthcare and industrial customers

The TSA (Textile Services Association) says that the rapidly rising energy prices will have a significant impact on laundries and describes the increases as ‘alarming’.  They come at a time when commercial laundries are struggling to meet demand, in the face of staff shortages and rising costs in raw materials, linen and wages.  They could result in even more pressure on prices for commercial laundry customers in the hospitality, healthcare and industrial markets.

“Energy typically amounts to around 10% of a laundry’s cost base – but the increases we are facing are off the scale,” says David Stevens, CEO of the TSA.  “They make the previous record highs of 2004 pale into insignificance.”

For example, in March 2021 the cost per therm of gas was around 42p.  Today the cost has breached 160p.  Similarly, electricity in March was around £54 per MWh.  Today’s settlement price is around £140 per MWh.  “It doesn’t end there,” says Stevens.  “The first week of September saw sixteen settlement (half hourly) periods with pricing in excess of £1000 per MWh.   Nine of these were above £3000 per MWh.  The highest was an incredible £4000 MWh.”

To make matters worse, currently the energy network is in a low demand phase – winter will see more demand and the pressure will mount on an already limited supply. There are a variety of reasons for the dramatic increases.  Key is a lack of supply throughout Europe, combined with a boom in demand from Asia, especially for LNG (Liquid Natural Gas).  In addition, recent poor weather and lack of wind has meant that renewable energy sources have been hit.

Fox Energy is one of the specialist suppliers working with commercial laundries.  Paul Dilley, a director at Fox, says, “The energy markets are reaching extraordinary highs with no sign of returning to normal any time soon.  Any business renewing a contract in the next six months may be at a significant disadvantage compared to those that have fixed contracts that were set when the market was substantially lower, even just a few months ago.

“We have been working with the laundry sector for many years and we have never seen anything like this before.  Sadly, it’s a trend we may see continuing through this winter season.”

The TSA is recommending that all laundries should make urgent allowances for these increases and contact their supplier or broker for advice.  “This is especially important for those on flexible energy contracts or that have existing fully fixed energy contracts due to expire within the next 6 months,” says Stevens.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us either via email or phone: 

E tsa@tsa-uk.org

T +44 (0) 20 3151 5600

Update from the TSA

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UK textile giant joins BITC network to get serious about sustainability

1 September 2021

Leading UK textile services provider Johnson Service Group PLC (JSG) is pleased to be joining the Business in the Community (BITC) network as of 1st September 2021.

BITC is the largest and longest established business-led membership organisation dedicated to responsible business.  Founded by HRH The Prince of Wales 40 years ago, the organisation works with their members to continually improve their responsible business practice, leveraging their collective impact for the benefit of communities. Membership of BITC is not just a badge, but a public commitment to a better way of doing business.

Chief Executive Officer for JSG, Peter Egan, said of the membership, “Within JSG we have a strong history of undertaking individual projects that are aimed at addressing the environmental and social impacts of some of our core business activities.  We’re now refreshing what we do by undertaking an exercise internally to define what sustainability means to us as a group and planning thereafter a strategic programme on our next steps.  Our new relationship with BITC will help to support our mission and enable us to effectively address the environmental and social impacts of our operations.”

To support the move towards a more joined up approach across JSG, the company recently appointed a Head of Sustainability, Alexandra Brennan. Alexandra, who brings with her over 15 years of experience in developing and embedding sustainability strategies, is currently conducting a full review of the company’s material impacts prior to a refreshed strategy launch in early 2022.

Executive Director of Membership for BITC, Nick Diamond, added, “We are delighted to welcome Johnson Service Group to the Prince’s Responsible Business Network. In joining Business in the Community, they become part of a growing network of progressive businesses who look beyond the profit motive, who want to make a difference within society, and who are prepared to collaborate to bring about change.  Johnson Service Group are demonstrating their commitment to addressing their social and environmental impacts, and we look forward to working with them as they refresh their wider sustainability strategy.”

For more information please contact sustainability@jsg.com

New regional manager for Christeyns as laundry professional retires after 20 years in the business

17 August 2021

Christeyns’ Regional Manager, Keith Stone, is retiring from the business and moving to British Overseas Territory St Helena after 20 years’ service. Russ Pannell has been appointed to take over the role.

Keith Stone has taken the decision to retire from Christeyns and move with his wife to the island of St Helena. Keith joined Bradford based Christeyns in September 2001 and was a key member of the Southern team, working initially as an account manager, then Deputy Manager and latterly Area Manager for the South East.

Stepping into the role is Russ Pannell, who joined Christeyns in 2016 and has a long career in the laundry and hygiene sector. Russ started out as a washer extractor maintenance engineer before moving to the hygiene chemical side where he has held several senior operational management roles. 

“I am looking forward to the new challenges this role will offer,” states Russ. “I worked closely with Keith for several years and he will be a hard act to follow but I hope to achieve continued sales growth, developing my team and providing a first class service.”

Russ continues: “The market has been through a lot of challenges in the past 18 months but fortunately we can see the light at the end of the tunnel and customers are getting busier by the day.”

Operations Director Justin Kerslake comments on the appointment, “Popular with his peers, Russ shows immense enthusiasm and is dedicated to customer service.  He will be a strong addition to the CUK management structure.”

In his spare time, Russ is a keen amateur yachtsman often out sailing on the River Medway and the English Channel. He also cycles and plays badminton.

Christeyns UK is part of the global Christeyns group producing innovative solutions both chemical and technical for the laundry and commercial hygiene sectors across the UK and Ireland.

For further information visit:

www.christeyns.com

Christeyns UK ups green credentials with new Project Terra

6 August 2021

Already known for its green credentials, hygiene chemical and engineering specialist Christeyns UK is driving the company’s environmental agenda from Board level down.

“The impact our industry has on the environment is significant,” states Justin Kerslake, Operations Director. “As a company, Christeyns is focused on doing all it can to reduce these environmental impacts and sees the challenges facing the industry as an opportunity to provide cost effective solutions to help customers stay ahead.”

Christeyns has invested significantly into developing efficient laundry systems, incorporating both equipment and chemicals, and is guided by the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

At its own facilities, the newly introduced Terra Project (meaning earth) looks into every aspect of Christeyns business across all its UK sites, in relation to sustainability and the environment.

Around £500,000 has been invested in equipment and training to ensure facilities are as modern and efficient as possible.  This included installing low energy LED lighting replacement and plans are under way to install a solar panel system.

Raw materials are purchased from carefully selected suppliers, sustainability being a key requirement when choosing ingredients.  Recent developments have also led to the introduction of concentrated formulations that reduce the number of deliveries and hence carbon footprint.  A review of the company’s waste stream is underway to strive for Zerowaste to landfill across all sites and this has recently been achieved at the Warrington plant.

Most recently the firm switched energy supply for the main Bradford plant to achieve net Carbon Zero and changed vehicle supplier to facilitate electric or hybrid vehicle choices for the high mileage drivers.

Wash-out water from both customer sites and the firm’s manufacturing facilities, is recovered and reused and in 2019 this saved 396,000 litres of mains water. This practice also reduces the amount of effluent being deposited into the environment.

“The drive to sustainability isn’t as simple as just moving to greener sources of energy, we must learn to consume less in general,” adds Justin. “Remote working in a flexible environment is encouraged, telematics for delivery vehicles and super concentrated products are all in development to reduce CO2 emissions.”

Increased focus at Board level will add impetus to Christeyns’ strategic goals on tackling environmental issues within the sectors in which it operates and in the wider community.

For further information visit:

www.christeyns.com

Update from the TSA

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Laundries warn hospitality industry: price rises are inevitable

‘Massive inflationary pressures’ as costs and shortages hit commercial laundries

The commercial laundries serving the hospitality and leisure industries have been looking forward to the bounce back, following lockdowns that saw them suffer more than many sectors due to government indifference.  But now they are warning that cost increases and labour shortages are crippling the recovery, and that they are being forced into increasing their prices. 

“There are massive inflationary pressures bearing down on our industry,” says David Stevens, CEO of the Textile Services Association (TSA), which represents commercial laundries in the UK.  “Commercial laundries are already on their knees, having had virtually no government help through lockdowns, despite seeing volumes drop by up to 80%. 

“Now they’re being hit by price increases they can’t absorb – they simply don’t have the resources.” 

The cost increases faced by laundries cover just about every area of operation and amount to double digit inflation.  Labour shortages have led to wages going up by between 10% and 25%.  Chemical costs are up 15%.  Many laundries also supply textiles services such as linen hire to the hospitality industry.  Here the prices are skyrocketing, with sheeting and bedding up by 55% and container freight costs by 300%. 

In response to the acute labour shortage the TSA is lobbying government to allow greater access to overseas workers and has requested further classifications of workers to be added to the shortage occupations list.  Despite support from the CBI and UKHospitality, Stevens is not hopeful.  “Don’t hold your breath,” he says.  “The government’s Brexit agenda means that, at least in the short term, it’s highly unlikely that we will get access to the European labour market.”    

As if labour shortages weren’t enough, the pingdemic has decimated the laundry workforce, putting even more pressure on the sector. 

UKHospitality is aware of the situation, saying that 94% of hospitality businesses are already experiencing difficulties with the supply chain, through shortages, delays and inflation.   For the hotels, restaurants and health clubs that rely on commercial laundries, price increases seem inevitable.   The TSA has published an information bulletin to inform end users of the likely impact.  It’s available to download for free from tsa-uk.org/laundry-cost-index

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us either via email or phone: 

E tsa@tsa-uk.org

T +44 (0) 20 3151 5600

CLEAN awarded 9th RoSPA Gold Medal

29 July 2021

Leading linen and workwear laundry services supplier CLEAN has been awarded its ninth consecutive RoSPA Gold Medal Award for maintaining and improving high standards in health and safety.

The prestigious annual scheme, run by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), recognises organisations that can demonstrate well-developed occupational health and safety management systems, a culture that is aware of and able to identify potential hazards, outstanding control of risk and very low levels of error, harm and loss.

Matt De La Bertauche, Head of Group Health, Safety and Environment at CLEAN said: “To achieve a RoSPA Gold Medal Award for a ninth year in a row is an incredible achievement.  I am very proud of the health and safety culture we have developed here; it is ingrained in everything we do.”

“In the last year we have focused on the continuous improvement of our policies, procedures, and training materials, to ensure everyone throughout the business is working to the same high standards.”

Organisations receiving a RoSPA Award are recognised as being world-leaders in health and safety practice. Every year, nearly 2,000 entrants vie to achieve the highest possible accolade in what is the UK’s longest-running H&S industry awards.  CLEAN has received their RoSPA Gold Medal Award Health and Safety Award for working hard to ensure colleagues, customers and contractors return home safely to their families at the end of every working day.  The Health and Safety team at CLEAN have built further confidence through standardisation of polices and processes, introduction of a new health and safety management system, and by developing new visually led educational and training materials that can be easily interpreted by a diverse workforce.  Another area of focus has been near miss reporting.  The team have focused on the importance of recognising, reporting, and analysing these events to ensure that preventative measures can be put in place.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, CLEAN has implemented a range of additional COVID-secure measures to enable the company to deliver a high-quality service in a safe manner. Measures include thermally and chemically disinfecting linen, towels and garments during washing, socially distanced delivery processes, sterilisation of laundry cages, vehicle interiors and loading areas before any clean textiles products are loaded and an increase in the level of PPE worn by production operatives and drivers.  Within its laundry sites a huge number of adaptations and changes were made to set up a COVID secure workplaces.

Julia Small, RoSPA’s achievements director, said: “The RoSPA Awards scheme is the longest-running of its kind in the UK, but it receives entries from organisations across the globe, making it one of the most sought-after achievement awards for health and safety worldwide.

“RoSPA is very proud of the achievements of its entrants, and with this award we recognise the best of the best.  Those organisations like CLEAN that have gone the extra mile, raising the bar for the delivery of safety in the workplace. Employees, wherever they may be should be able to go to work safe in the knowledge that they will return home unharmed and healthy at the end of every day. Our RoSPA Award winners are central to achieving this goal. By entering they are driving up standards and setting new safety benchmarks for organisations across the world. Currently, around 7million people are directly impacted by the RoSPA Awards, but the scheme’s global influence is even wider – with nearly 2000 organisations from 46 countries represented this year.”

To find out more about CLEAN and its health and safety measures, please visit www.cleanservices.co.uk or follow their updates on Twitter @cleanlinenltd.

Is PPE a hazard?

TSA warns that UK workforce safety is compromised by poorly cared for PPE

The Textile Service Association (TSA) is warning that thousands of UK workers are at risk from inadequately cared for PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), because it’s being washed at home.  It says that the care of textile-based PPE and workwear needs to be better understood, not only by employers but also by the workforce.  Many employees in the UK are asked to maintain the protective clothing provided to them.  This despite the fact that domestic washing machines are inadequate in terms of the controls needed to keep to the manufacturer’s requirements for maintaining the PPE. 

TSA has had reports of some employers providing washing rooms for employees to maintain PPE, but again these lack the right processes and materials to effectively care for the articles.  For example, the British Standard ISO 15797 specifies industrial PPE workwear washing and washing/drying parameters that align with the ISO 30023 qualification symbols for labelling workwear. Most people would have no understanding of this requirement. 

“What’s important is that the PPE is cared for properly and that this care is logged for traceability and to manage its quality throughout its life,” says Shyju Skariah, technical services manager at the TSA. 

BSIF (the British Safety Industry Federation) fully endorses the TSA’s arguments.  ‘‘PPE is the last line of defence for a worker’s safety and health,” says Alan Murray, CEO of BSIF.  “It must be maintained and cared for in line with manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that the garments retain their protective properties. 

The systems, engineering capabilities and quality assurance protocols within a specialist laundry are set up to do that, domestic laundering will not provide these controls.

“Furthermore, environmental considerations should be a high priority. Specialist laundries are required to have controls in place to ensure that the effluent from cleaning processes does not pollute the environment.‘’

Commercial laundries have been playing a central role for many industries to establish the effective quality management and traceability required to keep protective equipment fit for purpose.  Sectors as varied as automotive and healthcare rely heavily on commercial laundries to look after their workers’ PPE.  “Why?  Not only because they know it’s the safest way, but also because it means the PPE lasts longer, to it protects their investment,” says Skariah.  

The conditions required to care for the many different fabric and garment specifications need significant levels of fine tuning to get things right.  PPE is worn to protect the user from various types and degrees of soiling – these need to be taken into account, too.  

Commercial laundries calibrate chemicals and temperature conditions to handle varying levels of soiling. Surfactants, complexing agents, enzymes, chelating agents, foam inhibitors and several other chemical components are introduced to reduce the surface tension and thoroughly wet the textiles, to manage water hardness, to remove protein stains, to remove heavy metals… and there are many other processes. Laundries also use specialised systems compatible with the demands of PPE, such as effective, gentler alkalinity systems that achieve excellent results at lower pH levels and lower temperatures.  

TSA warns that disposable PPE does not provide a sustainable answer to the issue.  Predominantly used in healthcare, it is incredibly wasteful.  For example, a reusable gown used to protect healthcare frontline workers can be hygienically washed and reused around 75 times – and at end of life it may be recycled.  A single-use PPE gown gets used once and then becomes clinical waste that requires specialist disposal.  

“Employers need to carefully consider how they can ensure that their workforce’s protective equipment is competently maintained, to the manufacturer’s specification,” says Skariah.  “We need to ensure people using PPE are safe.  The UK’s workforce deserve to be protected.”

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us either via email or phone: 

E tsa@tsa-uk.org

T +44 (0) 20 3151 5600